Diets that encourage the intake of red and processed meats may favor the development of adenomas (precancerous growths) in the colon and rectum.
This study examined whether consistent ingestion of red meat is tied to the formation and growth of adenomas (precursors of cancerous cells) in the colon and rectum. Researchers compared the level of consumption of red meat with the colonoscopy screening results of 1,083 Canadian men and women aged 50 years and above.
Researchers found out that colorectal adenomas occurred at a higher frequency among participants at the top of the red and processed meat consumption ladder. This study demonstrated that high dietary ingestion of red and processed meats may spur the development of adenomas in the colon and rectum and consequently increasing colorectal cancer risk.